Wednesday, February 26, 2014

That I Elizabeth Walsh of West Brookfield, in the County of Worcester and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being in a sound disposing mind and memory do make this my last Will and Testament.

First. I direct my just debts and charges to be paid.

Second. I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Elizabeth Walch daughter of Michael Walch of West Brookfield all of my real estate situated in West Brookfield consisting of a dwelling House and about one fourth of an acre of land.

Third. I appoint my son Thomas Walsh of Rutland in said county to be executor of this my last will and testament and in presence of three witnesses below named I subscribe my name or mark. her

Elizabeth x Walch

mark

On the 27th day of October A. D. 1873 we Charles Chaffin, Andrew Holton and James Hanly at the request of Elizabeth Walch saw her sign the above in our presence and we all signed in her presence and in the presence of each other.

Charles Chaffin

Andrew Holton

James Hanly

Elizabeth died two days after her will was written. Her death was recorded in Worcester and crossed out - died Oct. 29, Elizabeth Welch, W., age 81, residence Brookfield, place of death, Holden, born Ireland. The cause of death was listed as Accidental on R. R. The death was also recorded in Holden as Elizabeth (Earle) Welch, age 81, W., died Oct. 29, of Pneumonia, born Ireland, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth both born in Ireland. The circumstances of Elizabeth's death are unknown to me, but she was most likely staying with her daughter Bridget Fitzpatrick at that time.

The property identified in the will, and in the quitclaim deed in my previous post was located on Crescent Ave. (known locally as Pig Alley) in West Brookfield. Michael Welch purchased it in 1868 and sold it to his mother Elizabeth in 1869. See Worcester County Deed Book 771 pp. 457 -458 deed to Michael from Loring Thompson May 1 1868, and Deed book 849 pp. 199 - 200, July 22, 1869. http://www.masslandrecords.com/